The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his right forearm scar from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective June 1, 2016, was improper. The 10 percent rating is restored as of that date.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not objectively demonstrate an improvement in the Veteran’s right forearm scar and the reduction was based on a VA examination report indicating no change in function from prior examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- Right forearm scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19102213
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for urinary, skin, jock itch, costochondritis, and sleep disorder conditions due to the lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis or a causal relationship with military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as it had been granted in a September 2023 rating decision. The claims for left wrist, right wrist, right forearm scar, and abdominal conditions were remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his right forearm disabilities, including a shrapnel injury, a painful scar, and a scar.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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